Female Stories Unheard – European Remembrance of Women in Resistance Against National Socialism

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As current developments show, a part of Europeans are attracted to right-wing conservatives and populist movements and do not see the value of a united Europe, therefore we would like to initiate the essay contest “Female Stories Unheard – European Remembrance of Women in Resistance Against National Socialism”. From May-September 2024, participants from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, aged 16 to 29, write an essay about women in the resistance against National Socialism. In doing so, they will deal with the historical legacy of the dark chapter and discuss their view of a common European culture of remembrance. During the writing process, various daily Research Camps will take place, consisting of transnational encounters, intercultural dialogue, workshops and research on the essay topic. At the same time these events are a further training for actors in youth work. Since we support a Europe of equal opportunities and non-discrimination, we deliberately address stigmatized groups of people and young people from educationally disadvantaged families in order to encourage them to deal with the topics of history, democracy and Europe, and we emphasize diversity. In order to lower the inhibition for participation, the submission of an essay after attendance is not obligatory. An English project website with audio description will be used for information and online submission. The best 9 papers will be published in an essay volume, other papers on the project website. The public award ceremony with reading and panel discussion will take place in Leipzig in September/October 2024. Furthermore, one public reading each with discussion will take place in Poland and the Czech Republic. The aim of the events is the appreciation of women in the resistance against the Nazi regime in the public discourse and a debate about the need for action derived from history for us as Europeans.